Simulated buckle-fastened belt fastening assembly

ABSTRACT

Two elongated, flat, belt end-tabs ( 20 ) and ( 32 ) made of a material suitable for permanent attachment to opposite ends of a torso-encircling strap ( 38 ). The first said belt end-tab ( 20 ) having Velcro hook ( 28 ) material attached lengthwise to it&#39;s underside and, the second said belt end-tab ( 32 ) having Velcro loop ( 34 ) material attached lengthwise to it&#39;s topside. Said belt end tabs ( 20 ) and ( 32 ) being releasably attachable to each other in an overlapping fashion by the mating of said Velcro hook ( 28 ) and said Velcro loop ( 34 ). Said Velcro hook ( 28 ) being a predetermined length so that approximately one inch of the free end of said belt end tab ( 20 ) is left uncovered so that pull-grip ( 30 ) is formed. In addition, a belt buckle ( 22 ) is mounted to the first said belt end tab ( 20 ) by means of a buckle positioning hole ( 24 ) which gives the assembly the deceptive appearance of being fastened with a buckle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is entitled to the benefit of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/223,096, filed Aug. 3, 2000 and, Disclosure Document #461432, filed Aug. 30, 1999.

BACKGROUND

[0002] 1. Field of Invention

[0003] This invention relates to the clothing accessory commonly known as an apparel belt, and specifically, to those devices used to connect the opposite ends of a belt around the wearer's waist.

[0004] 2. Description of Prior Art

[0005] Belts of various types are commonplace and have been used to hold up trousers for as long as pants have been worn. Generally, the opposite ends of a belt are fastened together to encircle the wearer's torso. The fastening is accomplished in a number of different ways; from the simple knot-in-a-rope to all sorts of buckles and clasps.

[0006] A common construction for apparel belts is where a leather end-tab is sewn to each end of a strap of webbing. A first end-tab has a buckle attached to it, and, a second end-tab has an aligned plurality of holes. The two end-tabs are fastened together by inserting the second end-tab through the buckle's opening, then, inserting the buckle's tongue through one of the holes. This action is known as “buckling” the belt and, conversely, unfastening and separating the two belt-ends is called “unbuckling”.

[0007] For effective operation, each fastening method or device requires some degree of manual dexterity. The level of dexterity required to use the prior art described above presents difficulties for some people. In particular, very small children, the elderly, and those with conditions limiting hand and wrist mobility, can find using conventional belts cumbersome. Most belts on the market today were designed for the general population with apparently very little consideration for those with Special Needs.

SUMMARY

[0008] In accordance with the present invention a belt fastening assembly comprises two flat similarly shaped bodies, releasably attached to each other with Velcro in an overlapping fashion, and, a belt buckle mounted to the top overlapping body to give the assembly the deceptive appearance of being fastened with a buckle.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

[0009] Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the present invention are:

[0010] (a) Individuals with factors limiting their dexterity including the elderly, arthritis sufferers, stroke victims, wearers of prosthetic hooks and those with carpel tunnel syndrome, among many others, can unfasten our belt with less effort, than traditional buckle-fastened belts.

[0011] (b) Parents of toddlers can use the present invention as a pottie training aid as it allows their little one to open their belt all by themselves. The independence gained can help build confidence and self-esteem.

[0012] (c) Wetting accidents, and the associated embarrassment, can be reduced due to the quick release design. Most belts made for children were not designed for children. They are simply adult-styled belts made smaller.

[0013] (d) Many daycare providers follow a Hands-Off policy regarding children and restroom use, advising parents to ensure their child can remove and replace their own clothing. The present invention can make it easier for all to comply with applicable rules.

[0014] (e) The aforementioned individuals can appreciate and enjoy the discreet appearance and aesthetic value of a piece of adaptive equipment that looks just like a regular belt.

[0015] Further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.

DRAWING FIGURES

[0016]FIG. 1—The completed assembly fastened

[0017]FIG. 2—The completed assembly unfastened

[0018]FIG. 3—An exploded view of the assembly without the buckle and strap

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS

[0019] 20 Front end-tab 22 Buckle 24 Buckle positioning hole 26 Holes for appearance 28 Velcro hooks 30 Front tab pull-grip 32 Rear end-tab 34 Velcro loops 36 Rear tab pull grip mate 38 Torso-encircling strap 39 Left strap-end 40 Right strap-end

Description—FIGS. 1,2 & 3—Preferred Embodiment

[0020]FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a basic version of our belt fastener. The two main components of the belt fastener are an elongated front end-tab 20 and an elongated rear end-tab 32. One end of a torso-encircling strap 38 is permanently attached to the left end of front end-tab 20 and the other end of the same strap 38 is permanently attached to the right end of rear end-tab 32 FIG. 1 shows front end-tab 20 and rear end-tab 32 releasably attached to each other in an overlapping fashion. FIG. 1 also shows buckle 22 in place.

[0021]FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of our belt fastener in which front end-tab 20 and rear end-tab 32 have been separated by disengaging Velcro hooks 28 from Velcro loops 34. FIG. 2 also shows buckle 22 in place. Note that Velcro hooks 28 do not cover front end-tab 30 completely. This uncovered area forms front tab pull-grip 30. Note that Velcro loops 34 do not cover rear end-tab 32 completely. This uncovered area forms rear tab pull grip mate 36.

[0022]FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of the five critical material components of our belt which are the front end-tab 20, the Velcro hooks 28, the Velcro loops 34, and the rear end-tab 32. Also, a buckle positioning hole 24 is shown.

Advantages

[0023] From the description above, a number of advantages of our belt fastening assembly becomes evident:

[0024] (a) The objective of pottie training is to ensure a child's ability to manage their bodily functions independently. The temporary adjustment of the child's clothing out of the way is an obvious requirement. This invention facilitates the objective by providing a means to unfasten the belt with a low level of dexterity.

[0025] (b) Many wetting accidents occur due to the level of dexterity required to open buckle-fastened belts. This invention provides a quick and easy means to unfasten a child's belt during these urgent times.

[0026] (c) Many daycare providers follow a Hands-Off policy regarding children and restroom use. This invention makes it easier to comply with applicable rules and regulations since children can unfasten their own belts independently.

[0027] (d) Many adults have special needs and require adaptive equipment to carry out their day-to-day lives. People with conditions limiting hand and wrist mobility including: severe arthritis, stroke victims, wearers of prosthetic hooks, among many others, can benefit from this invention.

[0028] (e) The present invention indeed has the appearance of a buckle-fastened belt. This fact allows the wearer to use the product discreetly.

Operation—FIGS. 1, 2 &3

[0029] It is first of accepted that left strap-end 39 has been permanently attached to front end-tab 20, and, that right strap-end 40 has been permanently attached to rear end-tab 32, and, that torso-encircling strap 38 has been placed around the wearer's waist, through the trouser belt loops, in the way that apparel belts are commonly worn. With the fastening means now in front of the wearer's waist, the manner of using the present invention is as follows.

[0030] With one hand, the wearer or caretaker will lay said rear end-tab 32 flat against the front his or her torso, horizontally, with Velcro loops 34 facing away from the body. Using the other hand, the wearer or caretaker will lay said front end-tab 20 against said rear end-tab 32 in an overlapping fashion, with Velcro hooks 28 facing toward the body. Said front end-tab 20 is then pressed firmly against said rear end-tab 32 to engage said Velcro loops 34 and said Velcro hooks 28. This action completes the fastening operation.

[0031] Now, to unfasten the belt, the wearer or caretaker will locate front tab pull-grip 30 on said front end-tab 20. With one hand, the wearer or caretaker will grasp said front tab pull-grip 30 in any convenient manner. Generally, said front tab pull-grip 30 can be grasped between the thumb and index finger. The wearer or caretaker then pulls said front tab pull-grip 30 away from the body. This action separates said Velcro hooks 28 from said Velcro loops 34, thus, unfastening the belt.

Conclusion, Ramification, and Scope

[0032] Thus the reader will see that the belt fastening assembly of the invention provides a means by which those individuals who, for any number of possible reasons, have limited dexterity can open their belts quickly, easily, and independently. Those same individuals might well appreciate the fact that, while the above function is provided, the invention has the deceptive appearance of a regular, buckle-fastened, belt. This appearance allows the user to discreetly enjoy the benefits of this piece of adaptive equipment.

[0033] While our above description contains several specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of one preferred embodiment thereof. Many other variations are possible. For example:

[0034] (1) The Velcro hook and loop placement can be switched to the opposite end-tabs, i.e., the loops can be attached to the front end-tab and the hooks can be attached to the rear end-tab.

[0035] (2) A left or right hand version can be made by reversing the tab direction.

[0036] (3) The buckle can be omitted.

[0037] (4) The positioning holes can be omitted.

[0038] (5) A facsimile or ornamental buckle can be used.

[0039] (6) Other fastening materials such as magnets or a chemical adhesive can be used.

[0040] (7) The Velcro can be attached directly to a torso-encircling strap.

[0041] (8) The pull-grip can be omitted by covering the entire end tab with Velcro.

[0042] (9) The pull-grip can be formed by leaving the rear end-tab uncovered.

[0043] Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. 

We claim:
 1. A deceptive apparel belt fastening assembly comprising: (a) a front end-tab of a predetermined size and shape, the body of which is elongated and substantially flat, having a top side and a bottom side, made of a material suitable for permanent attachment to a torso-encircling strap (b) at least one buckle positioning hole in said front end-tab though which a belt buckle tongue can be placed (c) a first predetermined length of Velcro hooks or Velcro loops material with (d) at least one buckle positioning hole positioned to correspond with at least one buckle positioning hole in said front end-tab (e) said first predetermined length of Velcro hooks or Velcro loops material permanently attached lengthwise to the bottom side of said front end-tab so that said first predetermined length of Velcro hooks or Velcro loops material can releasably attach to the opposite Velcro hooks or Velcro loops material (f) a pull grip formed by said first predetermined length of Velcro hooks or Velcro loops material being attached to the bottom side of said front end-tab so that approximately one inch of said front end-tab is left uncovered covered at the end opposite the attachment to said torso-encircling strap (g) a belt buckle that is attached to said front end-tab by inserting said front end-tab through said buckle and inserting said buckle tongue through said buckle positioning bole (h) a rear end-tab of a predetermined size and shape, the body of which is elongated and substantially flat, having a top side and a bottom side, made of a material suitable for permanent attachment to said torso-encircling strap (i) a second predetermined length of Velcro hooks or Velcro loops material permanently attached lengthwise to the top side of said rear end-tab so that said Velcro hooks or Velcro loops material can releasably attach to the opposite Velcro hooks or Velcro loops material (j) a pull grip mate formed by a said second predetermined length of Velcro hooks or Velcro loops material being attached to the top side of said rear end-tab so that approximately one inch of said rear end-tab is left uncovered at the end attached to said torso-encircling strap
 2. The deceptive apparel belt fastening assembly of claim 1 wherein said buckle positioning hole through said front end-tab and said first predetermined length of Velcro hooks or Velcro loops material is excluded.
 3. The deceptive apparel belt fastening assembly of claim 2 further including any ornamental belt buckle facsimile is used in place of said buckle.
 4. The deceptive apparel belt fastening assembly of claim 1 further including any ornamental belt buckle facsimile is used in place of said buckle. whereby individuals with factors limiting their dexterity including the elderly, arthritis sufferers, stroke victims, wearers of prosthetic hooks and those with carpel tunnel syndrome, among many others, can unfasten their belts quickly, easily and independently and whereby parents of toddlers can use the present invention as a pottie training aid as it allows their little ones to open their belt all by themselves and whereby wetting accidents can be reduced due to the quick release design and whereby daycare providers can more easily comply with applicable rules and regulations relating to assisting children in restroom use and whereby the aforementioned individuals can appreciate and enjoy the discreet appearance and aesthetic value of a piece of adaptive equipment that looks just like a regular belt. 